Indonesia Grants Permits for 35 Foreign Aircraft to Combat Forest Fires

The Indonesian government has granted flight permits to 35 foreign-registered aircraft to bolster efforts against widespread forest and land fires (Karhutla) in Kalimantan. This move comes as domestic aerial firefighting capabilities are deemed insufficient to tackle the escalating situation. Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated that these permits are crucial for supporting the national priority of combating the fires, emphasizing the urgent need for swift extinguishment. The foreign aircraft, procured by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), will receive operational support from the central government. "Essentially, we will always support what is a priority. Like handling these fires, it is the main priority at the moment. It must be extinguished immediately in the short term," said the Minister of Transportation when met after a Working Meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9). According to Mr. Sumadi, the foreign aircraft are being brought in by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) for fire suppression in several areas of Kalimantan. The foreign aircraft will receive operational support from the central government. "We need all the necessary infrastructure to extinguish fires, including foreign aircraft that are not owned in Indonesia. So, we are bringing them in, they are brought in by BNPB, then used for firefighting, and we provide permits," explained Mr. Sumadi. The Minister of Transportation assured that flight permits for the 35 foreign aircraft have been issued. These aircraft can commence operations to assist in aerial firefighting efforts during the forest and land fire emergency. Mr. Sumadi revealed that the majority of the foreign aircraft used for Karhutla management are helicopters, due to their ability to effectively support the fire suppression process from the air in affected locations. "Oh yes, those aircraft are already operating to handle Karhutla. We have already given all the permits. There were about 35 aircraft just now," said the Minister of Transportation. The Ministry of Transportation stated that the 35 permits for the use of foreign-registered aircraft have been issued to operators from Russia to the United States (US). Director General of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, said that the 35 permits for the use of foreign-registered aircraft have been issued to 11 holders of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) from eight countries of origin, with a total of 36 helicopters. "The countries of origin are from Australia, Russia, America, Ukraine, New Zealand, Laos, Vietnam, and Canada," said Mr. Laisa when confirmed in Jakarta, Monday (24/7). The Ministry of Transportation detailed the 11 AOCs, including Ersa Eastern Aviation, Genesa Dirgantara, Falcon Patriot Utama, Pegasus Air Service, Whitesky Aviation, Smart Cakrawala Aviation, Elang Nusantara Air, Intan Angkasa Air Service, Volta Pasifik Aviasi, Dabi Air Nusantara, and Derazona Air Service. The Ministry of Transportation is facilitating the use of foreign-registered aircraft to strengthen Karhutla management through accelerated permitting, operational support, and aviation safety oversight. Source: CNN Indonesia